As recently as Six years ago Brighton finished next to bottom of the Football League for the second season in a row. Three years ago Leeds United were Champions League semi-finalists.
The gap between the two Clubs is no longer.
A 59th minute own goal by Clarke Carlisle earned Mark McGhee's injury-hit side three points, which moves them above Leeds in the Coca-Cola Championship table.
To make matters worse for Kevin Blackwell's men, they had captain Paul Butler and England U-21 defender Matthew Kilgallon sent off in the closing stages.
Former QPR defender Carlisle diverted the ball past his own keeper Neil Sullivan as Brighton centre-forward Adam Virgo challenged him from a free-kick by Darren Currie.
Currie should have already given Brighton the lead by then, but he poked the ball wide just before the break when a mistake by Gary Kelly put him clean through.
Charlie limped off after a tackle by Killgallon to be replaced by Hart. Harts presence seemed to inspire the team to continue battling on at a time in the game that recently we've tended to sit back and get over-run.
An excellent substitution by Mark McGhee considering that Harty was sent of playing for the reseves in midweek, and will miss three games starting with the next home game vs Crewe.
Leeds, punchless up front, shot themselves in the foot twice as they searched for an equaliser.
Kilgallon had already been booked in the 49th minute for a foul on Brighton midfielder Charlie Oatway when he tackled substitute Gary Hart from behind in the 87th minute.
The referee produced a second yellow card for United's young left-back, and things got even worse for them deep into stoppage time.
Butler had only just been booked for dissent when the official showed him a straight red card as Brighton prepared to take a corner.
Mr Beeby later revealed Butler had been sent off for foul, abusive and insulting language.
Brett Ormerod, making the last appearance of his loan spell from Southampton, came closest to helping the Yorkshiremen avoid their first defeat in five games. His angled 75th minute drive from a cross by substitute Aaron Lennon flashed just wide of the far post.
Oatway joined Brighton's lengthening injury list. He was eventually forced off in the second half by a foot problem sustained in the tackle which resulted in Kilgallon's first caution.
Next up Sunderland away at The Stadium of Light.
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